Dr. Peter Anastassiou practices surgical oncology (cancer surgery) and thoracic surgery. His clinical interests include lung cancer and thoracic (chest) surgery procedures. He honors several insurance carriers, including Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Medi-Cal. Dr. Anastassiou graduated from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed his residency training at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, a hospital affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, and a hospital affiliated with Wayne State University. He has received professional recognition including the following: San Francisco Super Doctors and [415] Top Doctor, Marin Magazine. Dr. Anastassiou (or staff) speaks the following foreign languages: Spanish and Greek. Dr. Anastassiou is affiliated with Sutter Medical Network, California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), and Marin General Hospital. He welcomes new patients.

Dr. Brett Sheridan practices cardiac surgery, general surgery, and thoracic surgery in San Francisco, CA and Burlingame, CA. He has indicated that his clinical interests include heart transplant. He is affiliated with Sutter Medical Network, California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), and Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group. Dr. Sheridan obtained his medical school training at Baylor College of Medicine and performed his residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of Colorado Denver. Health Net ELECT POS, United Healthcare Plans, and United Healthcare EPO are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Sheridan accepts. He is open to new patients.

Dr. John Rabkin practices general surgery, bariatric surgery, and transplant surgery in San Francisco, CA. Dr. Rabkin's areas of clinical interest consist of weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) and liver transplant. He is in-network for Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Medi-Cal, in addition to other insurance carriers. He attended medical school at Boston University School of Medicine. His medical residency was performed at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He has received professional recognition including the following: San Francisco Super Doctors. Dr. Rabkin's professional affiliations include Sutter Medical Network, California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), and Brown & Toland Physicians. He welcomes new patients.

Dr. Alexander Yap, who practices in Daly City, CA and San Francisco, CA, is a medical specialist in cardiothoracic surgery. He is an in-network provider for Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CIGNA Plans, and more. Dr. Yap attended the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery for medical school and subsequently trained at Henry Ford Health System and a hospital affiliated with the University of Alberta for residency. Dr. Yap (or staff) speaks Mandarin and Filipino. Dr. Yap is affiliated with Sutter Medical Network, Seton Medical Center, and Brown & Toland Physicians. He is accepting new patients.

Dr. Rona Silkiss' areas of specialization are ophthalmic plastic surgery and pediatric ophthalmology; she sees patients in Oakland, CA, Walnut Creek, CA, and San Francisco, CA. Dr. Silkiss (or staff) is conversant in Spanish, French, and Cantonese. Her areas of clinical interest consist of eyelid surgery, plastic surgery procedures, and eye problems. Her hospital/clinic affiliations include Alta Bates Medical Group (ABMG), California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), and Washington Hospital Healthcare System. Before completing her residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Jules Stein Eye Institute, Dr. Silkiss attended medical school at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Silkiss has received a 4.5 out of 5 star rating by her patients. She is an in-network provider for Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and CIGNA Plans, in addition to other insurance carriers. Dr. Silkiss has received the following distinction: San Francisco Super Doctors. Her practice is open to new patients.

Dr. Kevin Hiler specializes in general surgery and practices in San Francisco, CA. He is rated highly by his patients. His areas of expertise include breast cancer and laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Hiler's professional affiliations include Sutter Medical Network, California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), and Brown & Toland Physicians. Dr. Hiler is an in-network provider for Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Coventry, in addition to other insurance carriers. He welcomes new patients. Before performing his residency at St. Mary's Medical Center, San Francisco, Dr. Hiler attended the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine. Dr. Hiler has received the distinction of San Francisco Super Doctors. He offers language support for patients who speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Dr. Stephen Daane's specialty is pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery. In addition to English, he speaks Vietnamese. These areas are among Dr. Daane's clinical interests: eyelid surgery, thigh lift, and general reconstruction. He is professionally affiliated with Sutter Medical Network, Alta Bates Medical Group (ABMG), and California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC). Dr. Daane is a graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine. For his residency, Dr. Daane trained at Stanford University Medical Center and a hospital affiliated with the University of Utah. His average rating from his patients is 5.0 stars out of 5. Dr. Daane is an in-network provider for several insurance carriers, including Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and CIGNA Plans. He has received the following distinction: San Francisco Super Doctors. He has an open panel.

Dr. Christina Allen is a pediatric sports medicine and orthopedics/orthopedic surgery specialist. Areas of expertise for Dr. Allen include arthroscopic surgery, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), and PCL injury. Her professional affiliations include Sutter Medical Network, Alta Bates Medical Group (ABMG), and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center. Dr. Allen is an in-network provider for Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CIGNA Plans, and more. New patients are welcome to contact Dr. Allen's office for an appointment. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine. She trained at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) for her residency. Dr. Allen has received the following distinction: San Francisco Super Doctors. She speaks Spanish.

Dr. Sean Wang practices otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) in San Francisco, CA, Fremont, CA, and Dublin, CA. He takes Health Net ELECT POS, United Healthcare Plans, United Healthcare EPO, and more. After attending the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, School of Medicine, Dr. Wang completed his residency training at a hospital affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He speaks Mandarin. His hospital/clinic affiliations include Sutter Medical Network, Washington Hospital Healthcare System, and Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group. He is open to new patients.

Dr. Ira Sharlip practices urology (urinary tract disease). His patients gave him an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. In his practice, Dr. Sharlip focuses on infertility and urologic (genitourinary) disorders. Dr. Sharlip is in-network for several insurance carriers, including Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and CIGNA Plans. Dr. Sharlip attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and then went on to complete his residency at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, and a hospital affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He has received the following distinction: San Francisco Super Doctors. He offers language support for patients who speak Filipino and Spanish. He is professionally affiliated with Sutter Medical Network, California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), and Marin General Hospital. Dr. Sharlip welcomes new patients.

Dr. Eric Meinberg's specialties are orthopedic trauma and pediatric orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. Before completing his residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of Cincinnati, Dr. Meinberg attended medical school at the University of Michigan Medical School. In his practice, Dr. Meinberg focuses on musculoskeletal surgery. He is an in-network provider for Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and CIGNA Plans, as well as other insurance carriers. His hospital/clinic affiliations include Sutter Medical Network, Alta Bates Medical Group (ABMG), and California Pacific Medical Center, St. Luke's Campus. He is accepting new patients.

Dr. Stephanie Chun, who practices in San Francisco, CA, is a medical specialist in general obstetrics & gynecology. She is especially interested in women's health issues. She has received a 3.0 out of 5 star rating by her patients. Dr. Chun takes several insurance carriers, including Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Medi-Cal. Dr. Chun graduated from Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine. She trained at Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center for residency. Dr. Chun (or staff) speaks the following foreign languages: Mandarin, Filipino, and Cantonese. Her hospital/clinic affiliations include Sutter Medical Network, California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), and Brown & Toland Physicians. She has an open panel.

Dr. Sigurd Berven practices pediatric orthopedics/orthopedic surgery in San Francisco, CA and Oakland, CA. Patients rated Dr. Berven highly, giving him an average of 4.0 stars out of 5. His areas of expertise include the following: scoliosis, extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF), and kyphosis. His hospital/clinic affiliations include Sutter Medical Network, Alta Bates Medical Group (ABMG), and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland. He accepts Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CIGNA Plans, and more. He has an open panel. Before performing his residency at Harvard Orthopaedic Combined Residency Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, and a hospital affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Dr. Berven attended Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Mathias Masem sees patients in Oakland, CA and San Francisco, CA. His medical specialties are hand surgery and orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. On average, patients gave him a rating of 3.0 stars out of 5. Clinical interests for Dr. Masem include dupuytren's contracture, wrist fracture, and hand surgery procedures. His professional affiliations include Sutter Medical Network, Alta Bates Medical Group (ABMG), and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus. Dr. Masem takes several insurance carriers, including Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and CIGNA Plans. He welcomes new patients. His education and training includes medical school at the University of Minnesota Medical School and residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He has received the following distinction: San Francisco Super Doctors. In addition to English, Dr. Masem speaks German.

Dr. Charles Lee's area of specialization is plastic surgery. He studied medicine at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. For his professional training, Dr. Lee completed a residency program at the University of Chicago Medical Center. His areas of expertise include eyelid surgery, thigh lift, and general reconstruction. His average rating from his patients is 5.0 stars out of 5. He honors Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CIGNA Plans, and more. Dr. Lee offers language support for patients who speak Cantonese, Korean, and Mandarin. His professional affiliations include Sutter Medical Network, California Pacific Medical Center, St. Luke's Campus, and Brown & Toland Physicians. Dr. Lee welcomes new patients.

Dr. Gary Milechman's medical specialty is adult cardiology and interventional cardiology. Patient ratings for Dr. Milechman average 4.5 stars out of 5. Dr. Milechman takes Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CIGNA Plans, and more. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University Medical Center, School of Medicine. His residency was performed at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Milechman has received the distinction of San Francisco Super Doctors. He is professionally affiliated with Sutter Medical Network, California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), and Brown & Toland Physicians. He is open to new patients.

Insurance

Medicare Patient Age

Medicare Patient Conditions

Medicare Patient Ethnicity

Medicare Patient Gender

Medicare Patient Insurance Eligibility

Additional Information

Distinctions

Ethnicity/Race

Foreign Language

Research

Online Communication

Patient Demographic

Practice Affiliation

Time Commitments

Certifications

Credentials

Fellowship

Medical School

Residency

Specialty

Years Since Graduation

What is Minimally Invasive Surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery is surgery performed using tiny tools and several small incisions instead of one large one. First performed in the 1980s, minimally invasive surgery has now become commonly used for all kinds of procedures because it offers so many benefits over traditional surgery.

Since minimally invasive surgery minimizes the amount of injury that a patient experiences by avoiding a large incision, it typically results in fewer issues after surgery. There tend to be fewer stitches needed, less scarring, less pain, a faster recovery time, and a lower risk of infection. Some minimally invasive procedures even require less anesthesia than usual.

There are three main types of minimally invasive surgery:

Laparoscopic surgery, where several small incisions are made. A tiny camera is inserted into one, and the surgeon looks at the procedure on a video screen while moving tools through the other openings.

Endoscopic surgery, which is performed using an endoscope. An endoscope is a thin, hollow tube that contains a camera. It can be inserted either through a small incision or an existing opening such as the nose. Tiny tools can be passed through the tube to the area that needs to be worked on.

Robotic surgery, which uses tools that are even smaller and more precise than laparoscopic tools. The tools and camera are inserted through a small opening, and then the surgeon controls the robot from a computer in another room.

Minimally invasive surgery is not the right choice in every situation. However in many cases, it makes surgery less difficult to handle.